Trachinotus africanus Smith, 1967
Southern pompano
Trachinotus africanus
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Carangidae (Jacks and pompanos), subfamily: Trachinotinae
Max. size:  92 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 14 kg
Environment:  reef-associated; brackish; marine; depth range 20 - 50 m
Distribution:  Indian Ocean: Gulf of Aden and Oman, Mozambique and South Africa to western Indonesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 7-7; Dorsal soft rays (total): 21-23; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 19-21. Description: Dorsal side bluish, ventral silvery, midlateral stripe faint orange or pink; anal fin bright yellow with orange anterior lobe; caudal, pectoral and pelvic fins yellowish (Ref. 3197, 90102). Body compressed, adults subovate, juveniles ovate; profile, snout round broadly. Fins dorsal and anal lobes moderately produced; caudal fin forked strongly. Caudal peduncle grooves absent. (Ref. 90102)
Biology:  Adults inhabit coastal areas with reefs or rocky outcrops (Ref. 3197). They are found normally in pairs on reefs but may be solitary or form schools (Ref. 5213, 90102). Juveniles in sheltered bays. Adults feed on mollusks (mussels) and crabs (Ref. 5213).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 July 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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